What is a Virtual Receptionist?

Get the expert help you need, whenever you need it — no headaches or hassles included

Select a service

in

What is a Virtual Receptionist?

Many business owners are turning to virtual reception services to help their businesses run more efficiently. Still, one of the most common questions we hear is, “What is a virtual receptionist?”. If you’re skeptical or unsure of how a virtual receptionist can help your business, we’ve got you covered. Let’s take a look at what we mean when we say virtual receptionist and how it could impact your business.

What is a virtual receptionist?

Before we discuss what a virtual receptionist is, it’s important to discuss what a virtual receptionist isn’t. A virtual receptionist IS NOT a robot or automated answering system. A virtual receptionist is a live, trained member of your team who performs all of the duties of a full-time receptionist, including answering incoming calls, scheduling, customer intake, order processing, and any other relevant administration responsibilities.

What are the benefits of virtual reception services?

The immediate benefits of virtual reception services are practical. A virtual receptionist is capable of answering calls, organizing your schedule, and giving you the freedom needed to grow your business. But you might not have considered these other benefits.

Cost Savings: For many business owners, hiring a full-time receptionist with a full-time salary including benefits and office expenses is not a financially sound decision. Our virtual receptionists offer all of the administrative capabilities of a full-time employee, but are used on an as-needed basis. This leads to lower costs – often $1-2 per hour for the service of a virtual receptionist.

Flexibility: Where a full-time employee requires lunch breaks, sick days and vacation time, our virtual receptionists are always available. This ensures that every incoming call is answered, and every client need is addressed. In addition to that security, Intelligent Office offers fully customized services that allow business owners to dictate when virtual receptionists are needed. Whether it’s for an hour a day or seven days a week, a virtual receptionist offers business owners the peace of mind and flexibility needed for a small business to thrive.

Professionalism: One common misconception about virtual receptionists is that they lack familiarity with business operations. But that couldn’t be further from the truth, as our agents undergo an in-depth orientation that is customized to every client’s business. Business owners are encouraged to participate in the training until they are comfortable with their receptionists’ knowledge and performance.

Human Element: As we previously mentioned, virtual receptionists are not robots or pre-recorded answering machines, but instead, live, local members of your community. Our receptionists provide the human resource and interaction that so many clients and prospects prefer when making important decisions.

Increase Sales: Perhaps the most overlooked benefit of a virtual receptionist is the potential to drive more business. Our professionally trained receptionists are extensions of our clients’ businesses – capable of responsibly responding to customer needs as well as building relationships with clients and prospects.

Using a virtual receptionist service is not a passive stopgap, but instead an active strategy for growing a business. If you’d like more information on how our virtual reception services can help your business, contact your local Intelligent Office today.